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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/03/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Official minutes City council study session St. Louis Park, Minnesota March 8, 2021 The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Rog. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano (arrived at 6:40 p.m.), Tim Brausen, Lynette Dumalag, Rachel Harris, Larry Kraft, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog Councilmembers absent: none Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), CIO (Mr. Pires), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Deno), Police Chief Harcey, Racial Equity Manager (Mx. Sojourner), Community Organizer (Mr. Gray), Communications Manager (Ms. Smith), Senior Management Analyst (Ms. Solano), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas) Guests: Members of the Community Technology Advisory Commission: Bruce Browning, Abe Levine, Jonathan Ralton, Mike Siegler, Kelly Heitz, Cindy Hoffman, Theo Pohlen Aaryn Anderson, Sandeep Sing and Shawn Wood with Insight Public Sector 1. Community technology advisory commission (CTAC) smart cities initiative Ms. Smith introduced the commission members and guests. Mr. Wood described their services and how they work with clients, including the city of St. Louis Park, to modernize cities to become a Smart City. Mr. Pires thanked the CTAC members, city staff, and Insight for their work on the Smart City scope. He stated the Smart City goal is to apply technology to improve the quality of life in scope of council goals. The CTAC presented three projects they have been working on. Mr. Pires noted other local cities have been calling city staff for information, and St. Louis Park is a leader on Smart Cities at this time. Mr. Levine presented on the commission’s environment committee, noting their work is aligned to the city strategic priorities. Mr. Levine explained options that were considered for discussion and ideas by the committee including bike and pedestrian sensing, smart building, electric vehicle, and climate action dashboard. Mr. Siegler discussed the connected community and digital divide, lack of broadband internet and computer access, and how to ensure that all can participate and thrive in the digital world, especially in St. Louis Park. Ms. Heitz presented on the geographic information system (GIS) enabled applications. She noted the goal is to improve data availability to both city departments and community members, particularly for the goals outlined in the council strategic priorities. DocuSign Envelope ID: 7A34E224-972E-4E3E-9084-D8C03563900E Study session minutes -2- March 8, 2021 Councilmember Brausen thanked the commission for their work. He asked about the GIS dashboard and if it is in place at Hennepin County. Ms. Heitz stated yes. Councilmember Brausen stated he would like to see more on this. He added he sees this work as integral to the CAP, noting costs will need to be looked at, but he supports the work of all three sub-groups. Councilmember Kraft asked what feedback the commission wants from council. Mr. Levine stated the commission wants to be sure they are on the right track and if the projects are meaningful. He added the commission is not looking for funding from the council. Councilmember Kraft stated the commission did an excellent job framing this and he encourages this approach. He added bikes and pedestrians tie into this also, and he would like to see the goals around this as well, and how to get more use out of sidewalks , bikeways, and roads. Councilmember Kraft added this work can be put into a pilot as well. Councilmember Kraft asked if there is a way to know the racial makeup of those who do not have computers in St. Louis Park, or do not have internet service. Mr. Siegler stated he would like to get this data. He noted computers at the library are always checked out and some areas are underserved when it comes to Wi-Fi. Councilmember Kraft asked if this would be an opportunity to partner with Hennepin County . He likes the direction of more data and transparency and would like to see use of the ped bike counting app here. He also likes the idea of pilot projects and rapid experimentation. Councilmember Rog thanked the commission for their excellent work. She appreciated that the commission worked so closely with staff from different departments and wants to see more of this integration. Councilmember Rog stated she likes the idea of a regional approach, which the city can model and lead, and others can join. She asked if the commission participated in the cable franchise workshops last year, and if they integrated that feedback into their processes. Mr. Siegler stated yes, adding that quality of service and customer service was discussed . He added the city will not be a cable provider but could help facilitate more equal distribution of cable. Councilmember Rog stated these are great ideas adding she agrees with Councilmember Kraft and is hopeful on community benefit of GIS. She added she is curious about the data on residents that do not have computers, stating the numbers seem low . Mr. Siegler stated he would dig deeper into this. Councilmember Rog stated she is supportive of the direction the commission is taking and asked if the committees will all work simultaneously. Mr. Levine stated the committees will operate independently and in parallel. Councilmember Rog reminded the commission to be mindful of unintended consequences around technology and data and potential risks both to privacy, safety, and security. DocuSign Envelope ID: 7A34E224-972E-4E3E-9084-D8C03563900E Study session minutes -3- March 8, 2021 Councilmember Harris stated she is impressed with the work of the commission and their thoughtful and comprehensive approach. She likes the environmental projects, which are linked to the strategic plan, noting the dashboard is an invaluable addition to the city’s tools especially when explaining to residents the importance of a 1-3% tax levy increase. She noted the dashboard can be used to articulate outcomes. Councilmember Harris stated she is supportive of this work being done by the sub-groups in parallel and it would be helpful for residents to have a visual way to understand summer road construction. Ms. Heitz stated yes this can be done, adding some cities have more data sharing and use apps that residents can access. Councilmember Harris asked how many youth members are on CTAC. Mr. Pohlen stated he is the only youth member. Councilmember Harris asked Mr. Pohlen, from his perspective, what is the main area to focus on. Mr. Pohlen stated the main area would be connecting the community and helping those that do not have access to the internet to get access. He stated this is the most important area to address now. Councilmember Dumalag stated she is supportive of the goals, adding that Connect the Park is in great alignment with city priorities. She added that dashboards can be created with data to protect individual’s privacy, she has seen that in her work with health systems that are required to be compliant with government regulations related to patient privacy. She added she likes seeing technology be woven in and she is a fan of dashboards that can help layer information especially with healthcare and compliance. Councilmember Mohamed agreed with the council and liked what she saw. She loves the equity piece, which is very intentional and is addressed in the proposal and is supportive on this all moving ahead but also cautioned on spending. She stated she looks forward to more discussions on this. Mayor Spano stated he is concerned seeing that 90% of folks have internet access, knowing that means about 5,000 people in St. Louis Park do not have access. He added this does not mean all have equitable access and this can also be a barrier . Mayor Spano added as the commission works through these platforms, he wants to be sure they transition and while he is interested in moving forward, one thing needs to be flagged . He stated there has been a long history of using data to create and perpetuate racial inequity, so he wants to be sure this is thought about in a very deliberate manner. He also is very interested in the dashboard and knowing if the city is hitting their marks, and then telling that to the public, adding data is needed to support outcomes. He stated this work is exciting and promising and he is supportive. Mr. Pires stated the commission will return to the council this summer to discuss additional work they will engage in, noting this is all a work in progress . He stressed they will be careful with budget constraints and work to get the best value. Mr. Anderson from Insight added he will help ensure the strategic vision is successful and try to validate and further the findings within each initiative . He stressed his company will work on getting staff feedback through collaboration across city departments, while also working with DocuSign Envelope ID: 7A34E224-972E-4E3E-9084-D8C03563900E Study session minutes -4- March 8, 2021 the public on feedback and connecting with the community , especially around computers and Wi-Fi. 2. Racial equity update and check in Mx. Sojourner and Mr. Gray presented to the council. Mr. Gray discussed community engagement initiatives coming up for this summer in St. Louis Park, noting that pop-ups will be held again this summer. He explained the benefits of pop-ups including city departments working together with local non-profits, as well as police and fire. He also noted the pop-ups help with partnering residents with neighborhood associations, and schools, and allowing for residents to meet the community engagement staff and build trust . He noted it is important to meet people where they are at. Mr. Gray noted the program Summer of Action will look to the future, and be a project led by the Human Rights Commission (HRC). He explained the HRC will be the connector and leader in social justice and the social landscape of St. Louis Park, and will present the topics of justice and equity, which tie into the strategic priorities of the city, while building partnerships. Mr. Gray stated the programs will be held the first weekend in June, in conjunction with a George Floyd anniversary event. Additionally, there will be events with the ESC, Friends of the Arts, LGBTQ during Pride Month, Indigenous Rights groups, monthly social justice movies, and book clubs and events related to teaching children about social justice. He stated the group welcomes and encourages ideas. Mr. Gray added neighborhood associations will continue to build connections throughout the city and work on race equity, with a great potential to shape how neighborhoods talk about race equity. He stated all neighborhood groups should apply for grants from the city, and he hoped they would do so. Mr. Gray noted staff will also continue to do race equity work with employee resource groups, trainings, and public art engagement with Friends of the Arts. Councilmember Harris asked if there were neighborhoods from every ward that participated in race equity work. Mr. Gray stated he will check into this and report back. Councilmember Harris added neighborhood associations should be invited to work on these initiatives and be geographically represented across the community, so voices from all neighborhoods are included. She noted the Aquila neighborhood has a large neighborhood picnic each year that could be a great fit for this work, as well as summer pop -ups. Councilmember Harris also noted the Basketball in the Park programs that many BIPOC community members participated in as another area for engagement, as well as the Hope Speaks event that many youth attend. Councilmember Harris wished Mx. Sojourner every success in their new endeavors and thanked them for their work with the city. DocuSign Envelope ID: 7A34E224-972E-4E3E-9084-D8C03563900E Study session minutes -5- March 8, 2021 Councilmember Kraft also thanked Mx. Sojourner for their work with the city and stated they are very well known in the region and will be missed. He stated he would like to see pop-ups around voter and civic engagement and technology access. Councilmember Kraft asked how St. Louis Park is doing as a city and how would the council know. Mx. Sojourner stated the city is at the beginning stages of external racial equity work. They pointed to the 21-day challenge which exceeded its participation goals with over 600 sign- ups. Mx. Sojourner added when looking at the community, currently we are focusing on engagement with neighborhood associations, and meeting folks where they are at. Alicia stated the city can look at utilizing Next Door more and tracking community conversations but added the bigger question is what the city’s 5-year goals are and where does the city want to see the biggest changes. They stated right now that work is being done in the neighborhood associations and connecting them. Councilmember Kraft stated he is grateful to have come onto a council where so much great work has been done and a foundation has been built to deal with systemic racism. He asked if there will be a time for the council to consider a different way and with policy considerations. He asked what outcomes the council should be willing to change to help people of color in St. Louis Park, pointing to the fact that 50% use of force with police in St. Louis Park happens with black people. He stated something is wrong there and he is interested in what types of measurable items can change from a systemic point. He added the council needs to start thinking about how to change outcomes and improve people’s lives. Mx. Sojourner stated they would amplify the council needs to build their own house first and they would still highly suggest the council continue to do this, and not just focus on policies. Mx Sojourner stated council needs to slow down and look through a racial equity lens and break down systemic policies. They stated harm can be caused with streets and sidewalks or a new development, adding the IDI is a tool to help council move forward in these areas . Councilmember Mohamed asked what the plan is for when Mx. Sojourner leaves, especially considering the Chauvin trial coming up and the possibility of uprisings or trauma . She asked what the department plans are around this and Mx. Sojourner’s leaving. Mx. Sojourner stated there is an internal transition plan for projects and Mr. Gray will also pick up some of that. They stated some projects will pause until the next person is hired. Mx. Sojourner also stated as it relates to the trial, staff will work on not creating more trauma by their own communications or actions as a city and making sure they do not overstep the plan. They stated sometimes it is just the job of staff to listen and not to fix everything. Ms. Deno added staff is working with the team on this transition and putting together a recruitment plan, while Mx. Sojourner will still be connecting with staff. Councilmember Dumalag stated data can be used sometimes to unintentionally ha rm certain groups, so it will be good to collaborate with the team on this. She added she is interested in DocuSign Envelope ID: 7A34E224-972E-4E3E-9084-D8C03563900E Study session minutes -6- March 8, 2021 removing the city’s restrictive covenants, adding neighborhood groups are a great way to educate residents and to understand how this came into being, as well as help folks to think about how equity looks in St. Louis Park. Councilmember Rog thanked Mx. Sojourner for all their work and noted she has seen differences in city departments, including engineering, and a shift in Connect the Park and how information has been received from staff. She added, however, this is not the case across the board in all departments and she asked how staff can ensure awareness and decision -making is happening with an equity lens in all departments, and if it makes sense to add this into staff performance reviews and raises. Mx. Sojourner stated everyone is at different places on the continuum and spectrum and that goes for the city departments as well. Mx. Sojourner added Ms. Deno and Ms. Solano and a few department heads will look at how to navigate this work with accountability across the board and funnel it down to middle management and frontline workers, while managing it long -term. Ms. Deno added over the past several years this is tied into performance reviews and goal setting on racial equity for staff. Councilmember Rog appreciated the efforts being done within neighborhood groups to include BIPOC residents, adding the Birchwood group has done much work on this. She added that she wondered whether neighborhood associations are the right type of organization to attract BIPOC residents to participate. Mr. Gray stated neighborhood associations are like homeowners’ associations, but since they are already organized, they provide a great opportunity, adding the basis of his work is to build relationships. He noted neighborhood groups are already overseen and supported by the city, and are a microcosm of the city, while also having a larger potential ripple effect. Mx. Sojourner agreed, adding it is a time to reimagine neighborhood associations, adding they do lean toward homeowners and exclude renters and youth at time s, as well as BIPOC folks, and group homes, so this is the right time to navigate and work on what the community looks like while building social capital, and reshaping. Councilmember Rog agreed it is difficult to bring the BIPOC community into neighborhood associations, and possibly they are not the ideal structure to engage diverse folks today, however, they do have value. Councilmember Rog stated the school district and students, and families may also offer ways to reach community, especially because the school district is so focused on racial equity and there are more opportunities for partnerships. Mr. Gray agreed, adding he works on building relationships with PTO groups and keeping a pulse on what is happening in the schools. Councilmember Rog thanked them for all the work they are doing, adding if she had more advance notice on events, that would provide more lead time to promote information to the residents. Mr. Gray stated he will be sure the Summer of Action events get to the council monthly. DocuSign Envelope ID: 7A34E224-972E-4E3E-9084-D8C03563900E Study session minutes -7- March 8, 2021 Councilmember Brausen also thanked Mx. Sojourner and Mr. Gray for their work, noting he likes the summer pop-ups and will send a list of Ward 4 locations for events. He added the tie- ins with youth are important and community education programs may also be able to assist in the work being done. He asked for a list of all neighborhood associations to be sent to council and stated we all need to continue to ask the community to be engaged. Councilmember Kraft stated Just Deeds has discussions on racial covenants, adding later this year the council will be discussing and re-examining the city’s single-family zoning approach, which could help to educate and make changes in the city’s zoning approach. Mayor Spano thanked Mr. Gray and Mx. Sojourner for all their work, adding he has seen how residents relate to them in the community and it is positive. He stated he will be speaking on March 21 at Westwood Lutheran Church on the city’s racial covenants at a discussion on race issues and healthcare, and making sure residents understand the history of social racism. Mayor Spano added he is grateful for the work being done with neighborhood associations, calling it a place where people’s eyes will be opened. He added he wants Mr. Gray to make sure to utilize the council on these issues adding he had hoped the council would be further along on racial equity work by this time. He stated he is excited for Mx. Sojourner’s new endeavor, but will miss them, adding he is also excited for the new person to take their place and build on Mx. Sojourner’s work. Mx. Sojourner stated they will send the IDI report to the council for review and then council will discuss it further at a future meeting. 3. Targeted residential picketing Mr. Harmening stated this discussion will be to determine if the city should continue to have this ordinance and if so, it will need to be re-written in several areas. He noted it has been in place since 1993. Mr. Mattick noted he has concerns on whether the ordinance is enforceable, noting it uses a phrase called “unwanted speech”. He recommended taking this phrase out and re-writing the ordinance or consider repealing the ordinance in its entirety. Councilmember Mohamed asked if this just relates to homeowners or renters as well . Mr. Mattick stated it is geared mostly around residential but could also apply to apartments, n oting he will clarify this. Councilmember Mohamed stated she understands why there is concern around this ordinance as no one wants to be disturbed in their homes or neighborhoods but added she would like to repeal the ordinance. She stated she does not want to ask black and brown people to put aside their rights for the peace of all, adding she wants to give people every tool possible to be able to make a difference and be heard. She stated if people were not protesting, they would not see change and if people are not peaceful, then residents will get to experience un - peacefulness. DocuSign Envelope ID: 7A34E224-972E-4E3E-9084-D8C03563900E Study session minutes -8- March 8, 2021 Councilmember Rog appreciated Councilmember Mohamed’s comments. She stated she sent some suggested language changes to Mr. Harmening and Mayor Spano, adding the city has an interest in protection of residential privacy so that all can feel safe in their homes. She stated she is in favor of updating the language and keeping the ordinance . She stated this could relate to picketing at homes of doctors who perform abortions, police, judges, and others who live in St. Louis Park, and it is important to protect people in their homes and those who live with them. Councilmember Kraft also thanked Councilmember Mohamed for her comments adding there are times when he would feel personally justified to protest outside someone’s home, and other times when it would be wrong. He stated the council cannot choose what is unwanted speech and thinks people should have a sphere of privacy around their home, adding it is not okay to target someone’s home. He stated he does not feel the city has had to deal with this issue, so whatever is done will need to be done right, and he does not want to rush into anything, especially since there have been no issues. He added he is in favor of updating it very carefully but would not want to rush into this and wants to do it right. Councilmember Dumalag asked if there is a duration and if Parktacular falls into the definition as it does involve a parade. Mr. Mattick stated Parktacular would not fall into the definition. He stated he is not aware of a duration, but it can be about what time of day it occurs, how boisterous it is, if it is blocking traffic, or if there are 5 or 50 people protesting . He noted there are many things to consider when enforcing the ordinance. Councilmember Dumalag asked what if a group was protesting across the street from a home. Mr. Mattick stated that depends on if it spills over and other factors. Councilmember Dumalag asked if the ordinance refers to apartments or mixed-use developments. Mr. Mattick stated it usually only refers to single-family homes, but he will investigate this further. He added it is meant to protect the privacy of a home, but it should extend beyond a single-family home. Councilmember Dumalag asked what the penalties are for a misdemeanor. Mr. Mattick stated it is the lowest level of a crime and maximum penalties are 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. He added this is rare though and typically it is a $200 fine only. Councilmember Dumalag stated she is leaning towards updating the language and keeping the ordinance in place, adding she is concerned about those living nearby when a protest is going on, and the fact that they would not have anything to do with the issue, bu t just happen to live in the neighborhood and would be affected . Councilmember Harris stated she agrees with updating the language of the ordinance. She added after the discussion on race equity and IDI, she would want to be sure to look at unintended consequences and supporting first amendment rights. Mr. Mattick stated the “unwanted speech” language is not a standard that can be enforced, adding it is about conduct and quelling speech. DocuSign Envelope ID: 7A34E224-972E-4E3E-9084-D8C03563900E Study session minutes -9- March 8, 2021 Councilmember Brausen asked if the city has a disturbing the peace ordinance in affect. Mr. Mattick stated he will check on that. Councilmember Brausen asked if folks are disruptive, are there other city laws to stop that activity, such as if blocking traffic. Mr. Mattick stated he will bring back more details on that. Councilmember Brausen stated he would agree with Councilmember Mohamed and wants to repeal the ordinance, adding that civil disobedience has consequences. He stated he is not sure the city needs this tool on the books. Mayor Spano stated arguments can be made on both sides for and against this ordinance. He added protests are normal and healthy, including those that are not comfortable, but this is not about the council, but about our residents. He stated when he thinks about people in their homes, and the purpose of protesting, it is about intimidation, pointing to an example of when the KKK’s goal was to terrorize people in their homes. He added his concerns are around threats, intimidation, anger, and weapons, stating at this time he is not willing to eliminate the ordinance. It was the consensus of the council to ask Mr. Mattick and staff to come back with a second draft and address the issue of multifamily or mixed-use properties as well within the language of the ordinance. Mr. Mattick stated he would do so. Councilmember Mohamed asked if protestors would be allowed to go through a neighborhood and not stop. Mr. Mattick stated the ordinance does not prohibit a march down the street, and only refers to when protestors are standing outside a residence. 4. Future study session agenda planning and prioritization The council discussed the March 22, 2021 study session. Councilmember Kraft asked about discussions on the vaccination and if it is being distributed equitably within the city. Mayor Spano stated he has discussed this with Chief Koering and had an email from the Methodist Hospital president . Mr. Harmening stated he will look at how this is being monitored with the Fire Chief and to make sure it is being handled equitably. Councilmember Rog stated item 8 on the timeline is not property named and should be renamed from Revisit Setback and Affordable Housing. S he noted it is really about McMansions and their impacts on city neighborhoods. Mr. Harmening stated this will go to the planning commission first for discussion and then come back to council. Councilmember Dumalag stated the March 22 agenda is very robust and includes city manager discussion as well. She stated there may need to be more time for discussion on this. Councilmember Brausen agreed with the proposed TIF in the written report, adding he and Mayor Spano met with the group from Platia Place who are lobbying the city for a higher TIF, so he would like to discuss this further as well. DocuSign Envelope ID: 7A34E224-972E-4E3E-9084-D8C03563900E Study session minutes -10- March 8, 2021 The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 5. Business terms for redevelopment contract with Texa Tonka Apartments, LLC ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: 7A34E224-972E-4E3E-9084-D8C03563900E